Indiana Unemployment Increases In September

According to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, the state jobless rate increased from 3.5 percent in August, but remains below the national rate of 4.2 percent.

Locally, unemployment rates ranged from 3.5 percent in Ripley County to 4.0 percent in Dearborn and Switzerland counties last month.

Indiana’s labor force increased by 6,105 over the past month due to a 3,583 decrease in employment and a 9,688 increase in unemployment. Indiana’s total labor force remains steady at 3.4 million, and the state’s 64.5 percent labor force participation rate remains above the national rate of 63.1 percent.

The biggest gains were made in Trade, Transportation and Utilities, and Leisure and Hospitality.

Among neighboring states, Indiana has the lowest unemployment rate, followed by Michigan at 4.3 percent and Illinois at 5.0 percent.